Hank Reynolds
Bach, Fugue in G Major, BWV 577 (“Gigue”) Since we all celebrated Bach’s birthday this week, I thought we should feature something festive by Bach. What, you missed his birthday? Pity, but it happens. A few years ago I went to Sunday services at the … Read more
Nestico, Songs of Erin and The Boys of Wexford Since St. Patrick’s Day falls on Friday this year, it seems appropriate to hear some Irish music. Of course, Nestico doesn’t sound like an Irish name, but never mind that, it’s a name you should know. … Read more
Schubert, Arpeggione Sonata What is an arpeggione, you ask? Pictured here, it seems to be a cross between a guitar and a cello. Hence its other name: “guitar violoncello.” It has six strings tuned like a guitar (in fourths rather than fifths). So it was well-suited … Read more
Sor, Variations on a Theme by Mozart, Op. 9 Fernando Sor (1778-1839) was called “the Beethoven of the Guitar” by French composer François-Joseph Fétis. I’m not sure what Fétis meant by that. Sor was a contemporary of Beethoven who wrote in a Classical style, and he … Read more
Gounod, Marche funèbre d’une marionnette Those of a certain age will remember it as the theme music to Alfred Hitchcock Presents. From 1956 to 1965 (the show was expanded in 1962 to become The Alfred Hitchcock Hour), the popular show presented a short stand-alone drama each … Read more
Sousa, The Washington Post March I was a band guy (“geeks” hadn’t been invented yet). After doing all the usual band stuff throughout high school and into my college years, I found myself in an Army band for three years. Along the way, I played … Read more
Gow, Lament for the Death of His Second Wife Back in elementary school, we had an itinerant music teacher who often played the autoharp. It was a practical instrument: good volume, full harmonies, and easy to carry. I remember being somewhat intrigued by it—as I … Read more
Rameau, Les Sauvages In 1725, Chief Chicagou of the Mitchigamea tribe in Illinois visited Paris and met with King Louis XV. The Company of the Indies, which controlled business with the French colonies in America, arranged the visit for Chicagou and five other chiefs. During the … Read more
Franck, Violin Sonata in A Major I don’t usually remember the specific occasion when I heard a particular piece of music for the first time. I become familiar with a piece by listening to it many times, and the first hearing tends to fade from memory. But … Read more
Kodály, Sonata for Solo Cello, Op. 8 (3rd movement) Fasten your seat belt. The cellist on the video that follows takes a deep breath at the beginning for a reason. It’s easy sometimes to forget about the physicality of playing an instrument (or singing at a … Read more